Air cleaner



June 21, 1932. H. B. ANGLEMYER ET AL 1,864,289

' AIR CLEANER Filed Nov. 22, 1950 the casing 1 is secured.

- formed therein.

Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERMAN B. ANGLEMYER, OF IPOMONA, CALIFORNIA, AND RAY CHANEY, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS T INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER- COMPANY, A COR- AIR CLEANER Application filed November 22, 1980. Serial No. 497,406.

This invention relates to air cleaners. More specifically it relates to air cleaners utilizing a liquid adapted to be used on internal combustion engines.

The principal object of the invention is to incorporate in an air cleaner using'a liquid means for preventing the discharge of liquid by backfire when the cleaner is used on an internal combustion engine.

Another object is to construct such means as an integral part of the air cleaner and in such a manner that it will occupy a minimum amount of space.

These and other objects, it will be apparent, are accomplished by the device illusstated in the drawing and described in detail.

The drawing is a cross sectional view of an air cleaner embodying the invention. The particular air cleaner illustrated is"substantially the same as that disclosed and claimed in the co-pendingapplication #47 6,280, filed August 19, 1930.

In an air cleaner illustrated a cylindrical casing 1 is provided with a top in the form of a casting 2, which is secured to the casing 1. The casting 2 is secured by studs, not illustrated, to an annular. member 3 to which The member 3 is provided centrally with an. annular portion 4 to form a support for an air inlet tube 5 extending centrally downwardly into the casing. Web portions, not shown, join the member 4 to the outer portion of the memher 3.- A substantially annular passageway is thereby formed between the inner and outer portions of the member 3. At the bottom of the cylindrical portion 1 of the casing a member 6, having substantially the same diameter as the casing, is secured to the lower end of the casing in an air tight manner. A liquid reservoir 7, having substantially the same diameter as the casing 1. is fitted over the member 6 against a. head 8 Clamp rods 9 secured to brackets 10, mounted on the casing 1, extend through notched portions of a bar 11 and are provided with thread wing ends 12 for holding the reservoir in position.

The air inlet tube 5 terminates somewhat above the normal static level of the liquid in the reservoir, which is filled to the bead 13. This is a preferred construction in this particular cleaner although it is to be understood that the air inlet tube may terminate adjacent the oil level or below the level.

A cylindrical member 14 extends from an intermediate point in the casing downwardly below the normal oil level in the reservoir. Said member ispositioned from the casing 1 and from the inlet 5, forming annular passages there bet-ween. In the construction shown the member 14 is securedin position by being attached to inwardly crimped portions of the member 6. A bottom plate 15 is fitted over the lower end of the member 14.

A small opening 16 in the center of said plate I provides for the discharge of liquid therefrom. ,A screen 17 is positioned at the top of the chamber formed between the casing 1 and the air inlet tube 5. A similar screen 18 is positioned between the lower end of the air inlet tube 5 and the member 14. The space between the casing 1 and the inlet tube 5 and between the member 14 and the inlet tube 5 is filled with a filtering material, such as steel wool, packed against the screens 17 and 18, completely filling the space therebetween and extending down into the space between the member 14 and the casing 1.

The casting 2 at the top of the air cleaner is of a particular construction and embodies the novel features of this device. The annular passage, formed between the inner and outer portions of the member 8, connects with an annular cored passage formed in the casting 2; said passage is adapted to communicate by means of an opening 19, surrounded by a flange 20, with the air intake of a carburetor. with a cored passage 21 formed in the lower portion of the casting 2. The passage 21 increases in cross section in an upwardly direction, the wall forming said passage being substantially conical in shape.

The annular member 22 is mounted above the casting 2. The member 22 has an inwardly and downwardly extending flange 23 for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. A container 24 is mounted by means The air inlet tube 5 communicates of brackets 25 centrally of the member 22. The container 24 is'open on its underneath side and is filled with a fluid absorbing material 26 and held in position by a screen 27. 5 The container 24 is larger in cross sectional area than the inlet tube 5 and is spaced above the inlet end of said tube in spaced relation thereto. Said container is also spaced above the sloping wall of the casting 2, which forms the inlet passage, and from the flange 23. It will be understood that with the container in such a position an air passageway is formed to theinlet tube 5. g

In the o eration of this device suction is created at t e air outlet passage 19 by attaching the same to the air inlet of a carburetor. The air from the atmosphere flows in through the passage 21, through the air inlet tube 5 upwardly through the filtering material and 20 out through the passage 19. Liquid which enters through the opening 16 in the bottom plate 15 rises to a level within the member 14, the same as the level in the reservoir indicated by the bead 13. Said liquid is entrained by the air and carried into the filtering material. At the top of the member 14 the oil separates out and returns through the passageway formed between the member 6 and the member 14. When the engine to which the cleaner is attached is operating at full load there is very little liquid above the plate 15. However, under conditions such as this backfires will rarely occur. Backfiring usually takes place when the'engine is being started or when it is running at a low load, under which conditions oil will stand a considerable depth above the bottom 15. When the engine backfires a portion of this oil is drawn upwardly through the air inlet tube by the sudden rush of air back through the cleaner, produced by the backfire. This liquid, delivered upwardly with a considerable velocity, travels in a straight line due to the substantial length of the inlet tube 5, and is delivered into the container 24 against the absorbing material 26. The air passes outwardly through the inlet passageway formed between the container and the annular member 23.

Under certain conditions backfire may continue for a number of times. Under these conditions it is necessary to provide for absorbing a considerable volume of oil in the container, as the oil thrown thereinto would not in the time interval between backfires, drain back into the cleaner. It is evident, however, should the backfire continue, the capacity of the liquid absorbing material will be reached and the liquid will run down the inside wall of the container and drop off the edge thereof. Provision is made to trap this liquid to some extent so that it will not be thrown into the atmosphere. Liquid dropping ofl the edge will be entrained by the air and thrown centrifugally against the cleaner having an inlet passage, means for preventing the discharge of liquid by backfire, comprising in combination with the inlet passage a container in line with the inlet passage and spaced from the end thereof to provide an unobstructed air passage; said container being constructed to retain liquid delivered from the inlet passage by backfire.

- 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which the container has an open portion, directed toward the air inlet passage; said portion being larger in cross sectional area than the inlet passage.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which the container is provided with liquid absorbing material.

4. In an air cleaner utilizing a liquid, said cleaner having an inlet passage, means to prevent the discharge of liquid by backfire, comprising in combination with the inlet passage an enlarged airinlet member registering with the air inlet passage and extending outwardly therefrom, and a container in line with the inlet passage and spaced from the end thereof and from the air inlet member whereby an air passageway is provided therebetween; said container being constructed to retain liquid delivered from the air inlet by backfire.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, in which a flange is attached to the inlet member and extended into the passageway formed between said member and the container; said flange being shaped to trap particles of oil being carried outwardly by a stream of air produced by backfire.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signa- HERMAN B. ANGLEMYER. RAY CHANEY.

tures. 

